od photo prize 2026
Open Doors Gallery is delighted to invite submissions for the sixth edition of the OD Photo Prize. An annual open call for emerging artists working within the first ten years of their practice.
Open Doors Gallery is always searching for new talent to join our roster, and the OD Photo Prize has become the single most valuable place for us to find it. Since last year's edition alone we have presented nine artists across four international art fairs, in Paris, Rotterdam and London, seven of whom first came to us through the prize. It is a ratio that speaks for itself, and a measure of both the calibre of the submissions we receive and the central role the prize now plays in how we discover, nurture and represent new artists. Indeed, several past entrants have gone on to be represented by the gallery, among them Sander Coers, Wysocka / Pogo, Kristoffer Axén, Justus de Rode and Luca Ortis.
"Winning the OD Photo Prize meaningfully widened the audience for Angels, but what's stayed with me is the support I received from Tom after the win. Tom didn't just hand over a prize and walk away; he built an entire platform around the work and has stayed genuinely invested well past the announcement, putting hands-on care into every aspect of the process. Working with Tom and OD Gallery has been a real pleasure, and I'd recommend the prize without hesitation to any emerging artist thinking about applying." — J.A. Young Winner, 2025
This is a prize for photographic artists. We take an expansive view of what that means. Whilst respecting the traditions of the photography, we welcome work from across the discipline. From street photographers and documentary storytellers to collage and mixed media artists. We want to see the full spectrum of what is possible: work that celebrates classic storytelling, alongside more experimental practices, just as the medium has always found ways to evolve and challenge us, ever since its invention. What we look for, above all, is a distinct artistic voice and a considered body of work.
This year's shortlisted artists will be invited to participate in a group exhibition hosted by Open Doors Gallery in London, where this year's winner will be announced. A curated selection of works will be exhibited and made available for sale both online and at the show, with profits shared with the artist. Entrants retain full copyright of their work at all times.
Finalists will also be eligible for a number of awards selected by our esteemed panel of industry experts, including Judges' Picks, the InCadaqués Award (granting one artist a solo presentation at the celebrated festival in Spain) and the AJ Page Award (People's Choice). This year's jury brings together an exceptional group of gallerists, artists and industry figures, each offering real opportunities to the artists they champion. The full panel, with biographies, is listed separately.
The OD Photo Prize was founded by Open Doors Gallery in 2021.